Mercurial orbs followed the form of a female (
Trinity Harris
) as she nodded in her direction. Srina inclined her head, but said nothing, and continued to peruse the greenery. There was a boy (
Rath Nihro
) on a bench. She could feel her niece coming closer and remained where she was. None of these guests were a threat that required a response or further acknowledgment.
Taking care of a young adult with the life experience of a child was a challenge that the wintry Exarch had not anticipated. She had hosted several of her siblings on this end of the galaxy when they inevitably followed her path, but never had she seen such a soft, inquisitive creature. The pixie-esque voice in her ear caused a ghostly smile to slip across primrose lips for the barest moment. It was cold. There and gone. But, a smile nonetheless.
"No, Iuuna. It does not."
Perhaps it had been a mistake to introduce her to Naboo first and foremost. Yet, Naboo was the safest world within Confederate Space. It had the best access to tutors and medical care. Eshan was stable, for the moment, but that did not make it safe.
"There are many different kinds of events, different venues, and different people. These two nations have a complicated history, though, much of it is old enough that many of the newer faces have forgotten. Some would wish that such things would stay buried in the name of peace, that, we would surrender all notion of justice and retribution."
"So…You have several equal and opposite ways of thinking. Some, obey because it is their duty. Some actually believe that an armistice can be maintained. My Master falls on the side of doing what he feels is best for his people, no matter, the face he must wear. Some…Some simply cannot forget."
She could not, forget.
Would not. Not in this life nor the next. Silver eyes turned from exotic flower beds and her fingers again touched the golden ring that sat on the fourth finger of her left hand. He would feel her. He always did. She looked behind Iuuna and was satisfied to see two Confederate Knights standing distantly in the shadows, clearly, watching the young woman that looked so much like Exarch Talon. They were silent.
Unobtrusive.
Srina could not be present at all times and Iunna needed supervision.
Protection. Especially, in a place like this. Hearing the recounted tales from Iuuna that Tellu had whispered to her in the Nether caused the wintry woman to glance down for a moment.
"She speaks of Eshan, nettë." (*Small one, pretty one.)
The words the young woman spoke about her footwear were, in truth, expected.
"Nor can we fight or move as accurately while toddling about on toothpicks.", she amended, truly, giving the reason for her aversion to more fashionable options. The Exarch almost never wore anything that would hamper her ability to remove an enemy from her path. Even this dress, quiet, and simple had a slit that was rather high. It was not for allure. It was so she could place her foot on the neck of anyone that challenged her and wrench back their arm until she heard their neck crack.
"We must always be prepared."
A cool breeze stirred long white tresses and she reached up to remove the overlay she had worn as Iunna clutched her shawl. Beneath it revealed bare, unblemished shoulders and simple ivory straps. The back of her dress was laced, beautifully, in a crisscrossing pattern that led to flowing white material. Without a thought, she wrapped the much warmer piece around the arms of her niece, atop the shawl, and made sure it was secure with a delicate frown.
"I did not realize it would be so cold."
There were
many moving parts to
many nations. Many voices, large and small. Iuuna had a very limited, very narrow, perspective. It wasn't her fault. Srina wanted to expose her to the galaxy slowly, but it was never so simple. She was soft and inquisitive in the way that Tellu had been. Sweet, smart, and alive.
Full of life. Srina was none of those things. She was not flamboyant and full of passion that could purify a planet. In truth—She was a poor replacement for Tellu and nothing would ever change that.
The things that she tried to do for the betterment of the nation of which she served would rarely be seen. She cared not for wealth and only required enough power to protect that which she loved. She did not vie for more, nor, did she seek to steal it from anyone else. Iuuna would not know her struggles, nor, her position on many political matters. Srina had been forced to learn to adapt, to grow, but it did not change what was fact.
She would never be of the Light. She would never be a Jedi. She would never be Tellu—
But she would always be a warrior. She would always be
death.
Iuuna roused her from her thoughts by commenting that she was starting to look like Aeris Talon and Srina reached up to touch her cheek, slowly.
"Just a trick of the light."
It was pure and simple genetics. One day, they would all look alike, although, she knew that wasn't what Iuuna was trying to say. It was one more thing she could never know. How could she explain to one so underdeveloped why it was that she had frozen? Why it was that she loathed this building, the Empress, and just about everything it stood for?
She remembered the adage that she held close.
We do not suffer an Empire to live.
And yet—
Suffering, had come.
At the question of the rings on her left hand, she brought it forward into the light. A moment of silence would surround them while she formulated an acceptable reply.
"This one was a gift from the Vicelord when I was a newly made apprentice. Years ago. It was designed to keep me safe in places where weaponry may not be allowed and fists may not be enough. The Force was…Difficult for me then."
It had nearly driven her insane.
"This one…", she began, pointing at the golden one,
"Was given to me by someone I care for very much. Not too long ago. It will allow him to find me, and I him, wherever we are."
She did not say his name here. Not yet. Not, when the Eternal Empire seemed to be going to war with his continued home. Iuuna continued to chatter on so Srina really didn't get into any further detail. She was used to her scattered questions and always answered honestly, and patiently. The one thing the Exarch did not do as her niece would notice, was lie, to any degree. She was brutally blunt—But honest.
"I may, though, should the opportunity arise—I believe you should. It would be a good learning exercise."
Srina was also training Iunna to use her eyes, truly, as all Echani should. She should know when someone was going to attack, move, speak, and even occasionally think long before they ever deigned to do so. It was part of staying alive in this world. Using each and every tool they had available to them, even, if it hurt to do so. She also needed to work on her footwork, both, in combat and everyday life. Movement was their way. No exceptions.
"We will find you a suitable partner. If not, I will assign a Knight to lead you."
Ingrid L'lerim
or any of the other Imperial higher ups though. He'd heard the reports from an Imperial attack and would rather not be grilled on some ships classes being somewhere. Meh. He'd complained about pirates before so he should've been covered. It was more Vaux he was.... Well not worried about so much as laughing his armored butt off about.
Taozi Fuyuan
's buir just wouldn't let his sister stay out of this, and it was just hilarious to watch on the trip there. He was pretty sure she would do her best to not be seen right now. Maybe he’d be surprised though.
